This 5 Things Digest from the NTTAC Infant and Early Childhood Transformation Team and "kid contributors" shares advice from gender-expansive young people for what adults should know about what has been most helpful to them as they grow into their identities. In Spring 2022, NTTAC’s Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Transformation Team hosted a webinar by author, national policy expert, and public health advocate Willy Wilkinson about Supporting Gender Diversity in Young Children. Following the fascinating conversation with webinar participants, our team members had the chance to learn from school-age children who had the courage and supportive environments to express their creative gender identities during their early childhood years, as well as the families of these kids. … [Read more...] about 5 Things Digest: 5 Things Gender-Expansive Kids Want Adults to Know (June 2022)
Positive Youth Development
Community of Practice – Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Early Childhood Systems of Care: Engaging with Fathers and Father Figures from Special Populations
In an effective system of care, families are essential partners at the levels of service, management, and policymaking. As part of the process of engaging families, it is crucial to engage fathers and father figures in children’s mental health and related human services that have historically been framed as mother-and-child-serving systems. Researchers have learned that fathers have a critical role in children’s mental health, but need more support to fulfill their potential (L. Khan, 2017). In this recorded Community of Practice, fathers and grandfathers shared their advocacy journeys on behalf of their young children with (or potentially with) social-emotional and behavioral health needs. In addition, we heard from program and state leaders who have been fine-tuning approaches for engaging fathers and father figures from vulnerable communities in families and systems. Participants were supported in thinking through ways to embed and enhance father-friendly strategies at the agency … [Read more...] about Community of Practice – Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Early Childhood Systems of Care: Engaging with Fathers and Father Figures from Special Populations
Advancing Our System of Care: Supporting Students, Teachers, and Parents as Schools Reopen
COVID-19 and the shift to remote learning have been stressful on students, their caregivers, and educators, but the transition back to in-person learning is also challenging. In this session, Dr. Bostic and Dr. Rakow from the WISE (Wellbeing In School Environments) Center were joined by Pat Hunt and Jane Walker, LCSW, of FREDLA (Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association). Together, they discussed practical and research-based strategies that educators, school leaders, and school staff can use in the classroom, at the school level, and with the broader school community. Participants learned concrete practices to welcome students back into an in-person learning environment, and how to re-establish a sense of safety, stability, and connection within schools. … [Read more...] about Advancing Our System of Care: Supporting Students, Teachers, and Parents as Schools Reopen
Reconnect, Reflect, and Renew Children’s Mental Health Conversation Series (IEC focus)
This recording is Part 2 of NTTAC's Facebook Live conversation series. In Part 2, participants discussed infant and early childhood mental health during COVID-19. Panel discussion featured folks engaged in mental health practice, policy, and programming to support infants, toddlers, young children and their families in universal and specialized settings. Panelists focused on strengths-based approaches that have been helpful in building the capacity of adults and caregivers to support social-emotional development and address the specific challenges faced during the pandemic. … [Read more...] about Reconnect, Reflect, and Renew Children’s Mental Health Conversation Series (IEC focus)
Reconnect, Reflect, and Renew Children’s Mental Health Conversation Series (YYA focus)
This is a recording of a three-part Facebook Live conversation series hosted by the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) in observance of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2021. Each of the three sessions was centered around transitions faced during childhood, and featured guests with expertise in youth behavioral health, ranging from early childhood to young adult. Attendees reviewed the current mental health landscape for youth of all ages through the lens of both mental health experts and those with lived experience. Additionally, participants discussed coping mechanisms for the stresses surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic and learned how to reconnect, reflect, and renew in this unprecedented time. The first session featured Youth MOVE National (YMN) Youth Program Specialist Joshua Calarino and Peer Support Specialist Yasmin Flasterstein, the executive director of Peer Support Space, Inc. YMN … [Read more...] about Reconnect, Reflect, and Renew Children’s Mental Health Conversation Series (YYA focus)